Can one get too caught up in the awards hullabaloo and critical acclaim when the filmmakers behind some of the most celebrated independent films aren't making any money out of their works? The Brutalist writer-director Brady Corbet gives one a picture of the sorry state of independent cinema in the WTF podcast hosted by Marc Maron.
The film has been collecting nominations and trophies from every corner, and the Oscars ceremony is right around the corner. It has been nominated in 10 categories.
However, Corbet says the monetary benefits are nil. He reveals that filmmakers like him sustain themselves by directing commercials, which he did recently. He added that he and his wife Mona Fastvold, with whom he co-wrote The Brutalist, survived up to this point with a "paycheck from three years ago".
“I’ve spoken to many filmmakers with films that got nominated this year that can’t pay their rent. I mean, that’s a real thing,” he said.
Brady also shares that he doesn't get paid to do a lengthy global press tour spanning several months, in this case, six — "a six-month interrogation," he calls it. “If you look at certain films that premiered at Cannes, that was almost a year ago … I mean, our film premiered in September. So I’ve been doing this for six months and had zero income because I don’t have any time to go to work. I can’t even take a writing job at the moment.”
“It’s constant travel, but you’re also working Saturdays and Sundays. I haven’t had a day off since the Christmas break,” he said.
